patkau architects: cocoons

‘cocoons’ by patkau architects, tokyo, japan billy poh, courtesy of comme des garcons

vancouver-based practice patkau architects have designed ‘cocoons’, free-standing units to be placed within the dover street market ginza in tokyo for japanese brand comme des garçons. conceptually derived from the silent figures of naturally-forming cocoons, pausing within nature, these partially enclosed shelters may be placed in pairs within the retail floors of the store serving as a changing room or display. intended to meet the fire codes of the city, the element’s bodies are formed with  metal panels which are seamlessly assembled.

three pattern-cut 18 gauge stainless steel sheets are interconnected with flanges along spines and mid-panel seams, reinforced with drilled and tapped 7 gauge stainless steel plates which accept countersunk fasteners. these panels are welded to 3 gauge base plates and then to a hollow structural section steel frame for rigidity. the base of the frame is a 1″ thick acrylic floor that is illuminated from below. a pivoting steel-framed door surfaced with sheer white fabric offers privacy while allowing a soft illumination to emanate from the interior.

free-standing screens within store layout image courtesy of patkau architects

units within the fabricator facility image courtesy of james dow

side view of the pair of changing units

image courtesy of james dow

three pattern-cut steel sheets form the body of the units

image courtesy of james dow

details of the 18 gauge stainless steel sheet enclosure

images courtesy of james dow

acrylic floor illuminated from below

image courtesy of james dow

top view of the acrylic floor

image courtesy of james dow

base plan image courtesy of patkau architects

section image courtesy of patkau architects

elevations image courtesy of patkau architects

elevation image courtesy of patkau architects

panel layout image courtesy of patkau architects

panel flanges image courtesy of patkau architects

base flanges image courtesy of patkau architects

sheet layout image courtesy of patkau architects

project info:

client: comme des garçons / dover street market ginza (dsmg) area: 2.7 m2 (1.35 m2 x 2 cocoons) architectural team: matthew bunza, james eidse, john patkau, patricia patkau fabricators / consultants: asi plastics, carmel designs, macs ii lighting, quest metal works photography: james dow